The Delta independent., 1887-02-08

fore that the exemplary Cecilia could
not hold her tongue.
This extreme discretion having beer
observed, the Scotland Yard detective
arrived rs a visitor, and nc one paid
any particular attention 70 him. He
was very quiet, and adopted the char.
acter of man who does not dance,
or do anything, and it answered admr
rably. A number of other men, with
superb shirt fronts, hung about the
doorways and looked bored.
Mr.. Hawk was admirably gotten ur
for the purpose, and had only t, min
gle with these others and looked as
bored as they. Lady Hayward was de.
lighted at this excellent effacement Of
himself, and kept her eye on him with
great interest She managed to speak
to him very late, when the party was
breaking up. He had discovered moth
ing SO far-not even .'clew''-and
she went to bed disappointed.
Visitors at Hayward Castle breakfast
ed, of course, at any time during the
morning, but the family household al
ways assembled to morning prayers at
8:45, and breakfast formally began di-
rectly afterwards. Mr.. Hawk had
learned this, and was in the room
early-the only guest present. No
one else turned up but Lord and Lady
Hayward themselves, Rose Mannering,
who always appeared with her charge
at this time, and the servants. Even
Miss Colette was too tired to come
down, though no one was stricter, the
oretically, on the subject of family
prayers. How grateful was Lady Hay
ward, half an hour afterward. that her
sister had been late that morning!
The servant had come in led by the
butler and the stately housekeeper and
Lord Hayward read prayers. Mr..
Hawk sat very quietly in the shadow OF
curtain.
With all decorum the servants filed
out again, and Mr.. Hawk did not
move. The moment the door closed on
the last of them he leaned over to Lord
Hayward.
my lord" he said. may the men
servants watch the windows of this
room outside for few minutes? Don't
ask me to explain, there's no time to
| lose."
The old butler came in at that mo-
ment. carrying silver coffee-pot. Lord
Hayward gave the order.
'And tell them to keep their eyes
open." added Mr.. Hawk. We've got
to deal with the lightes. pair of heels
in the kingdom"
Lady Hayward listened and looked,
her heart in her mouth. What was COM
ing nextp
''Your ladyship," SAID Mr.. Hawk,
may l send for your maid?" Lord
Hayward rang instantly.
why should you suspect her? pro-
tested Lady Hayward. "She is most
superior girl She has travelled with
me and know her well. No suspicion
must fall upon her unless you have
proofs"
Mr.. Hawk rose and went anxiously
to the door. The order had been given
but scarcely moment had elapsed.
do you expect her 10 come home in
less than momentPo asked Lady Hay
ward, little Grossly.
just then Taylor appeared at the
door, the butler behind her. She came
in and the door was shut the butler re-
manning outside. At the first glance
Lady Hayward had seen curious look
on the girls face-one she had never
seen there before. But Immediately she
was herself again, and now she stood
before Lord and Lady Hayward and the
detective, perfectly quiet, without a
quiver on her face.
John" said Mr.. Hawk, 'this is
really very wrong of you; it is an infa-
nous trick to have played. For two
years you have been wanted. and i
knew you weren't out of the country,
but I'd no idea you could be doing such
thing as this"
While he spoke Mr.. Hawk had ap-
preached Taylor and put pair of hand
cuffs on her. There had been little
by-plsy first-Taylor had scanned the
windows and instantly saw they were
guarded.
$50 the games up" she said sullen-
ly.
Eyes, my lady's maid. to the tune of
fourteen years." answered Mr.. Hawk.
what does it mean?" cried Lady
Hayward; II can't understandr'
Mr.. Hawk snatched the dainty Paris
ian cap and the smooth brown wig
from Taylor's head and flung them on
the floor. In an instant the gentle
girl's face became a mans smooth and
malleable as wax. 1t was not nice to
look at now. The head was covered
with dark, very, very short growth
of hair.
Lady Hayward uttered shrek and
fell back in her chair.
"Tll take him off," said Mr.. Hawk.
"It's too much for her ladyship."
"Mr. Hawk! Mr.. Hawkr' cried poor
Lady Hayward, put on his wig and
take him away as woman! I'll give
you anything-anything, if you will do
thatp'